You are here

Today in West Hawaii history | May 9

Today in West Hawaii history | May 9

May 9, 2004: Honokaa High School freshman Sean Maekawa captures the Big Island Interscholastic Federation golf title after shooting a third-round 72 at Hualalai Golf Course and finished the three-round tournament with a score of 218. He next heads to the Hawaii High School Athletic Association state boys tourney slated May 19 and 20.

Today in West Hawaii history | May 9

May 9, 1984: With outrigger canoe paddling gaining popularity all over the world, Hawaiian canoe racing organizers are hoping they can get their sport added to the Olympics as a competitive event by the time the 1988 Summer Olympics are held in Seoul, South Korea.

Editor’s note: This list of notable stories featured in West Hawaii Today throughout the years is compiled from West Hawaii Today archives. It includes historical notes from 10, 20 and 30 years ago. "Today in West Hawaii history" is a daily feature of West Hawaii Today and is available only online at westhawaiitoday.com.

West Hawaii Today

May 9, 1984: Controversy surrounding the Hawaii County Taxpayers Association’s initiative petition continues to boil, and yesterday, a government employees union official claimed the document was not properly prepared. The petition, certified last month by the Hawaii County Clerk, will be sent to Corporation Counsel to determine if it meets all legal requirements. However, according to Jack Konno, the United Public Workers Big Island division director, who has lodged a formal complaint with the county council, the petition may not meet county Charter requirements because many of the people who signed the petition did not date the petition and many of the dates on the petition were not written by those who signed the petition.

The Hawaii County Democratic Party says it will urge Big Island residents to vote against a Hawaii County Taxpayers Association-proposed amendment that could cut county operating revenues by $18 million and have a serious impact on government service. At its convention held last weekend in Hilo, the party adopted 21 wide-ranging measures, including a resolution opposing the HCTA’s initiative petition that would reduce the real property tax rate from $8.60 to $4 per $1,000 assessed valuation.

With outrigger canoe paddling gaining popularity all over the world, Hawaiian canoe racing organizers are hoping they can get their sport added to the Olympics as a competitive event by the time the 1988 Summer Olympics are held in Seoul, South Korea. This year, outrigger canoe paddling will be held as an exhibition sport at the Summer Games in Los Angeles and with two other sports: tennis and baseball. The first qualifying race for the International Polynesian Canoe Federation world championship, to be held in conjunction with, but not part of the 1984 Summer Olympics, will be held at Kawaihae Harbor on May 12.

May 9, 1994: Students at Hawaii public schools will be eating locally produced hamburgers next year., even though they aren’t any cheaper and reportedly don’t taste better than beef fro the mainland. State school lunch administrators said students have shown a preference for frozen flame-broiled hamburgers from mainland suppliers, which are priced competitively with Hawaii products. The school system tries to provide students with appetizing foods to create a better environment for learning, said education administrator Gene Kaneshiro, but in an effort to protect Hawaii beef companies, the Legislature this year inserted an item in the state budget that requires public schools use Hawaii-produced hamburger patties.

May 9, 2004: “Missed opportunities.” That’s how Republican Gov. Linda Lingle summed up the work of the 2004 Legislature the day after lawmakers wrapped up their session in Honolulu. Speaking May 7 to 300 members of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce in Kailua-Kona, Lingle said the Legislature served up “half a loaf” as they addressed the crystal methamphetamine abuse epidemic, workers compensation reform, identification of important agricultural lands and the economy.

A Puna councilman is proposing a Hawaii County Charter amendment for 1 percent of the county’s real property tax collections to go into a Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Fund. Gary Safarik said he has brought forth the bill after the Trust for Public Land made the pitch to him a year ago. He said similar funds exist on Maui and Kauai, but he said suggested 1 percent, not 2 percent like the other counties have. If council members approve the bill voters will be asked on the November ballot whether they want 1 percent of their real property tax to he set aside for “purchasing or otherwise acquiring lands or property entitlements, and improvements in the County of Hawaii.”

Honokaa High School freshman Sean Maekawa captures the Big Island Interscholastic Federation golf title after shooting a third-round 72 at Hualalai Golf Course and finished the three-round tournament with a score of 218. He next heads to the Hawaii High School Athletic Association state boys tourney slated May 19 and 20.